Home Improvement FAQ for Your Ann Arbor Projects

Do you have a list of home improvement projects that you want to get done? Does that list include projects that you’re unsure of, feel like you have questions about, or possibly feel are just too big for one person (or one family)? If so, you’re not alone. The majority of people feel out of their comfort zone when it comes to home improvement projects. As home improvement experts, CertaPro Painters of Ann Arbor have outlined the common questions we receive and listed answers to help you become a more informed homeowner. Use this home improvement FAQ list to understand what needs to be done around your house now, what can wait another year, and what you should call in a specialist for.

For your convenience, we have split our list into two categories: seasonal projects and projects that can be done all year.

Seasonal Home Improvement Projects FAQ

There are many home improvement projects that can only be done at certain times of the year, for reasons like weather and extreme temperatures. The majority of these projects are exterior projects.

Plan when to tackle these exterior projects. For example, spring and fall are great times to do things like power washing, exterior painting, and deck staining.

Re-staining the Deck

Are you looking at your deck thinking, “I wonder if I need to re-stain this wood?” We have the answer.

First off, it’s a common misconception that staining your deck will protect it forever. The majority of stains last less than five years, but it could be even less than that thanks to the cold winters experienced in Ann Arbor.

Therefore, if you recently moved into your home, have not stained your deck in the last three years, or are seeing chipping and splitting in the wood – the answer is most likely yes, it’s time to re-stain.

Tips on Maintenance
Maintaining your deck will prolong the life of your stain and your deck. Touch-ups and new coats of stain at the beginning of each year will help you to protect your stain.

Tips for Re-staining
You should remove and re-stain your deck every five years to protect the wood and maintain a beautiful surface.

If you are re-staining your deck or doing touch-ups, make sure you have the correct color. If you are unsure of the stain, an expert can help color match.

If you intend to remove the old stain and apply new stain to the deck, you may want to call a professional. It can be difficult to properly remove stain without damaging the wood.

When is the Best Time to Stain or Re-stain My Deck?

The best time to stain or re-stain your deck is in the fall. In the summer, direct sunlight and extreme temperatures can result in premature stain failure. This means that the stain will be unable to penetrate the surface to provide long-lasting protection. This will cause the stain to wear prematurely. Spring, meanwhile, has too much rain and prolonged moisture, and the summer months are typically too humid.

How Often Should I Powerwash My House?

Powerwashing your house should be considered regular maintenance. Put it on your calendar to do once a year.

If you have trees or bushes that create excess dirt or mold, you may want to powerwash your house twice a year or even seasonally.

When is the Best Time to Powerwash My House?

We recommend you powerwash your exterior surfaces in the spring or summer. The natural light will help you identify the areas that need the most work and the sun will help quickly dry the surface.

Did you know that you can power wash brick, vinyl siding, and stucco? You can. Just be careful to not use too much power, as this can result in damaging the surface.

If you are unsure about power washing, fear you may damage your home, or simply don’t want to deal with the hassle on your own — consult an expert for help.

Do I Need to Repaint the Exterior of My Home?

Have you recently replaced a portion of your exterior? Are you beginning to see excessive wear? Then you should consider repainting your home.

We typically recommend repainting your home every 5-10 years, depending on the material. Contact a professional to talk about the current state of the exterior of your home and how often it should be repainted.

When is the Best Time to Repaint the Exterior of My Home?

The best time to paint your home is the spring, summer, or early fall. The majority of paints adhere best when they are applied between 50 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Home Improvement FAQs for Projects That Can Be Done All Year

Are you experiencing cold, rain, wind, extreme heat, or maybe even just a case of seasonal allergies? Then take this opportunity to stay inside and tackle an interior project. Almost all interior home improvement projects can be done all year long.

How Do I Know If It’s Time to Refinish My Kitchen Cabinets?

It’s time to refinish your kitchen cabinets if they look outdated, have irreversible food or grease stains, or if they are starting to chip and show significant wear.

Unsure of what refinishing your kitchen cabinets involved? It’s more than just a fresh coat of paint. Refinishing your cabinets involves removing the doors, sanding down the cabinets, stripping off the old finish, and applying new paint and/or stain.

If you decided to DYI this project, be sure to follow instructions on how to properly refinish cabinets. If you would prefer to leave this to the experts, contact CertaPro for a free cost estimate.

How Do I Know If It’s Time to Repaint the Interior of My Home?

The interior of your home has two types of areas: high traffic areas and low traffic. High-traffic areas need interior painting more often, likely every 3-5 years. These areas include the kitchen, bathroom, stairs, hallways, and foyers. Low traffic areas may be able to get away with new paint every 7-10 years. These areas include the living room, dining room, bedrooms, office, and any spare rooms or spaces. Repainting your interior can be done room-by-room but it’s better and more cost-effective to do it floor-by-floor or across connected rooms, if you aren’t intent on repainting the entire interior.

Does Wallpaper Go Bad?

The simple answer to this frequently asked home improvement question is no. Wallpaper is known to last much longer than paint, sometimes up to 15 years or more. It’s likely that your taste will change before your wallpaper goes bad.

If for whatever reason you want to remove old wallpaper and install new, contact a professional. Don’t spend the weekend picking at the wall. An expert will know the tricks to remove wallpaper seamlessly and install it flawlessly.

Is It Time to Replace the Wallpaper in My Home?

If your wallpaper is peeling, splitting at the seams, has bubbles, is faded from the sun, or is just beginning to look dated, you may want to consider replacing it. Don’t like floral patterns anymore? Swap it for modern shapes.

Use the same rule as with paint – high traffic areas are replaced more often than low traffic areas.

Contacting a Professional

You can contact a home improvement expert to discuss all your ideas, questions, and concerns – with no obligation. CertaPro Painters^® of Ann Arbor offers free estimates to all customers. Exterior projects can be quoted by experts who evaluate the home from the street. This does not require any personal interaction. Interior projects can be quoted via pictures or Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime calls. We do not require any personal interaction or contact and are working to enforce social distancing for all customers and employees. And if for whatever reason you don’t feel comfortable, don’t hire us! But at least you now have a sense of cost and involvement.

Contact us today to discuss your project and schedule your free estimate.